Visual Development (8.10, 11, 12 & 19) Flashcards
Define the term critical window
A period of time, early on for organisms, where they’re highly sensitive to surrounding stimuli and the brain develops due to repeated stmulation from specific stimuli (plasticity and strengthening connections)
Describe what happens during the critical window of visual development
The connection of neurons between the optic nerve and brain strengthen. The neurons that are more frequently stimulated become stronger and stabilised, whereas neurons that receive less activity and stimulation are pruned. As well as this, ocular dominance columns become more balanced allowing for the development of normal binocular vision
Explain how the results of Hubel and Wiesel’s experimentations with kittens and monkeys contributed to research into human brain function
They found that the neurons connected to ocular dominance columns for each eye (left and right). As well as this, they found that there was a critical period where visual stimulation had to occur (where the neurons and columns where most plastic) in order for binocular vision to develop. This was found by finding that the ocular columns shrank when the eye was not exposed to any stimulation during the critical period.
Discuss the ethical reasons for and against the use of animal models in research
For = utilitarianism (the benefits expected from the study outweigh the harm caused to the animals in the study), animals and humans share some similarities so can be easily used, can be used if animals are treated respectfully
Against = goes against basic animal rights, lack of informed consent from animals and may cause serious harm to animlals
